Both movies were distributed through FOX. drumline has only been out one more
week and is playing at only 96 more theaters yet it's reaped in $38,689,397
more than Antwone Fisher. Now profits are starting to considerably drop for
Antwone Fisher. What I'm wondering is whether blacks support their own enough?
Look at 8 mile it's amassed $115,953,495 in 11 weeks while being released at
ONLY 246 theaters nationwide. Yes granted it could be cuz of Eminem's star
power but that's not a viable excuse in my opinion. The 8 mile theaters were
full of blacks AND whites. Shit National Security made $16,813,517 in ONE week
and it wasnt no where near as good as Antwone Fisher. I would think that the
fact Antwone Fisher was directed by Denzel Washington and nominated for some
awards in the industry would be enough. My dad (a white latino male) is the one
who told me the movie was good. That's funny considering as of yet the only two
people I know who have actually seen the movie both went with me and everybody
else is like "Antwone What?...What's that?"
IS it cuz of a lack of advertising?

I don't want to see it because it looks boring.

I saw Antoine Fisher and it was an excellent movie. Unfortunately, I think a lot of black people didn't go to see it because there is no violence, guns, handles a subject that too many of us black people know about, and it does not show us as buffoons as usual. I think a great deal could be gained if more people were to go see it. It gets great word of mouth and a lot of my friends and family have already seen it.

BlackMiles said:

you talking about those african americans with dutch
ancestery???

Sometimes people just want to see "shoot em' up", action packed films, and when one like this comes along, they wonder if it's going to be so interesting...it's like every other movie in Hollywood that is so focused on special affects and a lot of marketing, that had "Antwone Fisher" used the same tactics to spread it's uplifting, message, I think it would have brought a lot of audiences. This film is MOVING and TOUCHING, and it's one of the best, probably #1 on my list, among others I've seen this year. The Hollywood industry sometimes focuses on fancy shots and stuff, and this film is told linearly wtih an excellent story. For those who appreciate good acting and a great film, needs to watch it, and for those who just don't know, should definetely go find out...
[This message was edited Sun Jan 26 16:25:02 PST 2003 by Starmist7]

i can't lie...

antoine WHAT???

stymie said:

it never came my way but I plan on checking it out on Video.I can still support it on Video rental.can't trust Box Office just like SoundScan they don't always count our Purchases.I remember how "Malcom X" the movie didn't get all the ticket prices count up properly.also remember different films appeal too different Balck Segements of the poluation.we all don't think or enjoy the same things.but yet of all Racial Groups in this Country we are the most Lumped together.

I'm really disappointed this film isn't doing better It's excellent, I loved it - laughed & cried. It's a very powerful film & I plan to see it again. I'm spreading the word to everyone I know.

Don't know if the problem is not enough Black people supporting it, not enough PEOPLE supporting, both maybe. I got no answers, just questions...

mistermaxxx said:

Video sales/rentals don't matter when it comes to getting a decent budget for the next Black drama - they look at box office receipts. They already feel Black films in general are too risky, so bad receipts for Antoine will make the next Black drama more of an uphill battle than it already is. THAT'S why it's so important to get out to theaters & support films WHILE THEY'RE PLAYING...

They're waiting for "Deliver Us From Eva"

stymie said:

Gun, violence and buffoons? WTF...Personally, i think it's advertising and not because of what stymie has said. The marketing has been very limited where as the marketing for 8 mile, drumline and national security has been pumped up. So it's not the audience but how the movie has been marketed to the public at large.

sometimes really good movies, such as AF, just don't appeal to a mass audience, and just as equally, horrible movies, like Maid in Manhattan, do.

Advertising being the culprit is too much of a cop out, I just don't think enough people are interested in seeing it, regardless of how good it is.

Comparing it's box office to 8 mile or drumline does, though, do a disservice to your stance, as the three movies are drastically different and are targeted at different audiences (although one could make the argument that 8 mile and Drumline target a similar demographic). Ultimately AF is a more mature, adult geared film, and those usually don't reap in millions and millions of dollars. Fox knew that, hence the limited distribution.

I'm a big Denzel fan, but I just can't bear to rush out to the films of his that seem formulaic.

So, no, I still haven't seen Antoine Fisher -- just as I still haven't seen Remember the Titans.

I dunno. I'm in the mood for a movie today. Maybe I'll catch it in a matinee.

There is so much to say about this but one thing to keep in mind is to know the demographics for who most actual movie-goers are. Teens. Adolescent males. You think teens are going to go see a life affirming uplifting movie over soe of the other more sens enticing stuff out there? Still there are other parts of the population that account for making movies with serious subjects a hit..thats where most of the marketing that has already been discussed comes into play. It isn't a "black" thing. It's a "taste" thing.



.
[This message was edited Mon Jan 27 8:41:57 PST 2003 by rdhull]

mistermaxxx said:

True enough. The networks don't know what black people watch on tv neither. A lot of black shows get cancelled supposedly of "The Neilsen ratings were low" I'm sure the Neilson ratings don't count the ghettos and hood because I don't know anybody black with a Neilsen box at home.

rdhull said:

I agree here...and btw, "Antoine Fisher" is indeed a great movie...and I was the only black in the theatre when I saw it..lol...